Cycling is better known as bicycle riding in which one balances oneself on a frame over two wheels.  These wheels are aligned one directly in front of the other. Once you have mastered this skill of balance you may choose to go onto the sport of racing with your cycling. 

The first cycling race was held in France in 1869.  There are several different types of competitive events, which include road racing, track or velodrome races, and off road mountain bike races.

Track racing is one of the Olympic cycling competitions, and other events include the match sprint, individual and team pursuit, kilometer time trial and point and time race.

In 1996, cross-country mountain biking began as an Olympic sport.   For each type of cycling there is a different bicycle.

Road-racing bikes have lightweight frames. They are built out of steel, aluminum, titanium and carbon fiber.  They have thin, high-pressure tires, brakes and downward curving handlebars, narrow saddles and a front and rear derailleur.  (A derailleur shifts the chain through as many as 16 different gear combinations.  There are at least four different types of road-racing events.  They are stage racing, one-day events, time trials and criteriums.

     The fast growing competition today is mountain biking.  This sport began in the early 80’s, when some cyclist rode down mountain trails.  Most of these races are held in the woods and some are on roads.  There are world championship events held yearly.  Mountain bikes are built of the same material as track bikes with sturdier tubing.  Mountain bikes have knobby tires and bar-mounted shift levels with the ability to control up to 24 gears with powerful breaks.  They have low-pressure, knobby tires.  These bikes also have some type of rear suspension, which helps with shock control.  . 

Track racing is held in veldromes.   (A veldrome is an oval track with steeply banked corners that enhance speed, see above).  The tracks are made of wood or concrete either in the open or enclosed. Track bicycles are the same in appearance and construction as Road-racing bicycles.  Although they have no breaks, no gears and they weight about 15 to 20 pounds

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